Adjustable ottoman



April 1954 H. H. EICHORST 2,675,862

ADJUSTABLE OTTOMAN Filed Dec. 23, 1952 so v INVENTOR.

H ERMAN H EKZHQRST Patented Apr. 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEADJUSTABLE OTTOMAN Herman H. Eichorst, Hollydale, Calif. ApplicationDecember 23, 1952, Serial No. 327,535

though capable of manufacture at substantially the came cost as thatinvolved in producing a conventional ottoman, will still have desirablefeatures of adjustment not found in conventionally designed ottomans.

Another object of importance is to provide an ottoman as stated which,when adjusted in the manner described above, will still be attractive inappearance, the adjustment means being effectively concealed.

Yet another object is to provide an ottoman.

as described which will have a seat portionadjusting means which, thoughdecidedly inexpensive and simple, will nevertheless permit the seatportion to be shifted to any one of a large number of positions ofadjustment, according to the desires of the particular user.

Still another object is to provide an ottoman as described so designedas to permit the seat portion to be adjusted with a minimum amount ofeffort.

Still another object-is in which the adjustment of the seat portion issuch as to cause said ottoman to be usable, in cooperation with aconventional chair, in the formation of a contour chair or davenport.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable ottoman which will havean adjustment means so designed as to cause the seatportion tobe,effectivelyheld in each position of adjustment thereof, saidadjusting means being further characterized by its ruggedness and itstrouble free operation. .1

Summarized briefly, the invention includes an adjustable ottoman,provided with a reliable base.

A guide plate is disposed transversely of the-base,

and is mounted on the base for vertical sliding V posite ends of thebase, and engage the opposite ends of the seat portion, to hold theseatportion in selected positions to which it is tiltably adjustedabouttlle axis of its hinged connection to the guide plate. of differentheights, so as to normally support to provide an ottoman 1 The endsupport plates are the seat portion in a particularly desirable,inclined position. The end support plates, further, are associated withspring means that normally tend to urgethe end support plates tovertical positions, said spring means being so designed as to cause theend support plates to exert pressure upwardly against the opposite endsof the seat portion, thereby to hold the seat portion in each positiontowhich it is tiltably adjusted. The construction is further designed topermit the seat portion to be tiltably adjusted about the axis of itsconnection to the guide plate, at every elevation to which the guideplate and seat portion are bodily shifted relative to the base.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claimsappended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein: 1

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ottoman formed in accordance withthe present invention, the seat portion being adjusted to one inclinedposition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view in which the seat portion has beenremoved from the base, a portion of the seat portion being broken away;and

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyon line 3-3 of Figure 1, the dotted lines indicating an alternativeposition of adjustment of the seat portion.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral II] has beenapplied generally to a base. The base It, in the illustrated embodimentofthe invention, is of rectangular, ,boxlike formation, and is adaptedto carry a seat portion designated generally at l2. The seat portion I2is hingedly connected to an elevation adjustment means. M, the oppositeends of the seat portion being, engaged by tiltable adjustment meanslB.Each of these basic parts of the invention will be described in detailhereinafter.

Considering the construction of the base It,

said base includes a, horizontal, rectangular bottom plate l3. Mountedupon the several corners of the bottom plate It are depending casters20, which permit the ottoman to be rolled to any location at which it isto be used..

Fixedly connected in any suitable manner to opposite ends of the bottomplate [8 are outer end plates 22, which. can be of any suitable materialdesigned to provide an attractiveexterior appearance for the base It.The end plates 22 are fixedly connected, attheir-opposite side edges, tothe ends of vertically disposed outer side plates 24.

The lower edges of the end plates 22 are recessed as at 26 (Figure 1),the outer side plates 24 being correspondingly recessed as at 28, thusto define, on the base l0, short, depending corner legs 30, thateffectively conceal the casters 20, while still permitting the base tobe rolled to selected locations at which it is to be used.

The outer end plates 22 are adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured toend walls 32 of the base, the outer side plates 24 being similarlysecured to side walls 3 4.

It will be seen, from the construction which has so far been described,that the base In comprises a rectangular, box-like member formedvertical adjustment of the seat portion [2 to selected elevationsrelative to the base Hl, said means includes upstanding pairs of guidebars 36 mounted within the base, medially between theopposite ends ofthe base. The respective pairs of guide bars are disposed adjacent therespective side walls 34, one guide bar of each pair being disposed .inclosely spaced relation to its adjacent side wall 34. The other guidebar of each pair is spaced outwardly from said adjacent side wall aslightly greater distance than the first guide bar of the pair (seeFigure 2). A horizontally disposed tie bar 38 is secured at its oppositeends to those guide bars 36 that are spaced closely from the respectivesidewalls 34, a second tie bar 38 being secured at its opposite ends toand being extended between the other guide bars. In this way, theseveral guide bars are mounted within the base H1 in such a manner as toprovide a vertical guideway -49 disposed transversely of the base, inwhich guideway a vertically disposed guide plate 42 is slidably mounted.

Adjacent the opposite side edges of the guide plate 42, I provide lockpins 43, each lock pin 13 extending through an opening 45 (Figure 2)formed in the guide plate 42. The opposite ends of the respective lockpins 43 project outwardly substantial distances from their associatedguide plate 42, and thus, if the guide plate 42 is shifted upwardlywithin the guideway 40 to a maximum extent, the ends of the lock pin 43will engage the tie bars 33, thus to prevent the guide plate 42 frombeing pulled accidentally, together with its associated seat portion 12,from the base 10.

Secured to the top edge of the guide plate '42, at locations spacedtransversely of the base 4-0, are bearing brackets 44 of inverted Ushape, said bearing brackets receiving a pivot shaft 46. The pivot shaft45 constitutes part of the seat portion l2, which seat portion will nowbe described. in detail. The seat portion l2 includes, at opposite sidesthereof, depending side shields 48, said shields 48 having the oppositeends of the pivot shaft 46 connected thereto. The shields 4% areprogressively decreased in width from one end thereof to the other (seeFigure 3), and have downwardly converging end edges 50, to provideclearance for the seat portion l2 when said seat portion is beingtiltably adjusted.

The side shields 48 are fixedly connected along their top edges, to theopposite side edge portions of a flat. rectangular seat portion baseplate 52, which base plate, in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, is covered with a suitable thickness of padding 54, saidpadding in turn being covered by upholstering fabric 56.

As will be seen, the seat portion l2 can be considered as hingedlyconnected to the guide plate 42, for swinging movement relative to theguide plate about an axis extending transversely of the seat portion,medially between the opposite ends of the seat portion. Further, theseat portion and the guide plate 42 are adjustable bodily, upwardly ordownwardly relative to the base ill, to selected elevations, with theseat portion being tiltably adjustable upon the guide plate 42 at eachelevation to which said guid'eplat'e and seat portion are moved.

The means [5 for controlling the tiltable adjustment of the seat portionupon the guide plate 42 includes support blocks 58 fixedly connected tothe inner surfaces of the respective end walls .32 of the base, inclosely spaced relation to the top of the base. The support blocks 58have secured thereto stationary hinge leaves 60, and pivotally connectedto the stationary hinge leaves are movable hinge leaves 62 screwed orotherwise attached to swingable end support plates 64, 56 respectively.Referring to Figure 3, the end support plate 64 is formed to a lowerheight than the end support plate 55.

The end support plates are thus swingably mounted upon the opposite endsof the base I0, for adjustment to selected positions. In thisconnection, a spring 63 is coiled about the hinge pin associated witheach end support plate, said spring being so tensioned as to normallyurge its associated end support plate to a vertical position. However,against the restraining action of the springs 68, the end support platescan be forced inwardly to the position, for example, in which the endsupport plate fi l is disposed in Figure 3.

Considering now the operation of .the device, the entire ottoman can, ofcourse, be rolled to any location at which it is to be used. Thereafter,the seat cushion can be adjusted as desired, and in effecting thedesired adjustment, the seat portion [2 is merely grasped and pulledupwardly relative to the base It. When this is done, the guide plate 42slides upwardly between the guide bars 3%, thus to position the seatportion 12 at a selected elevation. relative to the base.

At each elevation of the seat portion, said seat portion can be tiltedabout the axis defined by the pivot shaft 45, so as to be disposedeither at a horizontal position or in selected positions of inclination.Thus, in Figure 3, the seat portion I2 is shown in full lines in oneposition to which it can be adjusted. In this position of the seatportion, the end support plate 66 is vertically disposed, and engagesits associatedend of the seat portion l2 in such a manner as' to holdsaid associated end upwardly, at an elevation higher than the pivotshaft 46. This causes the other end of the seat portion to becorrespondingly depressed, into engagement with the'top edge of the baseIt). The end support plate 64, to permit this adjustment, is swunginwardly to the position thereof shown in Figure 3.

If desired, the end support plate 64 might be swung upwardly, forexample, to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 3, and thiswill cause the seat portion !2 to be still inclined, but at a moregradual angle.

Other adjustments might be made, and for example, the end support plate66 can be swung inwardly to its maximum extent, while the end supportplate 64 is vertically disposed. This will cause that end of the seatportion l2 shown at one may comfortably recline.

the left in Figure 3 to be positioned against the top edge of the baseill, with the other end of the seat portion being slightly elevatedabove the base l0. 7

These adjustments can be effected in each position to which the seatportion I2 is elevated, as will be apparent.

The wide range of adjustments that are thus possible permit the ottomanto be used in association with a conventional chair, in such a manner asto cause said chair and ottoman to define, in effect, a contour chair,on which In other words, the seat portion I2, when disposed at aselected angle of inclination relative to the seat of said chair, willsupport the legs of the seated person at a comfortable height and angleof inclination.

Further reference is believed advisable, with respect to the functionalcharacteristics of the ottoman. Ordinarily, the seat portion l2 would befreely swingable upon the pivot shaft 46. However, the springs 68 causethe end support plate 64 to engage the opposite ends of the seat portion12 in such a manner as to provide, in effect, a lock for the seatportion in each position to which the seat portion is swingably adjustedabout its hinge axis. Even when the end support plates are swunginwardly, the springs 68 will cause said end support plates to exert anupward pressure against their associated ends of the seat portion [2,and since this pressure is exerted against both ends of the seatportion, the seat portion will be held against free swinging movementabout its hinge axis.

It is believed that the construction illustrated and described ispossessed of certain important.

to which the seat portion is adjusted, the adjusting means is whollyconcealed, by the side shields 48 and end support plates 64, 66.

Still further, the construction illustrated and described ischaracterized by its relative simplicity, considering the benefits to beobtained therefrom, thus to permit the ottoman to be manufactured at acomparatively low cost.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confinedto the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the inventionto be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated anddescribed, since such construction is only intended to be illustrativeof the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carryout said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehendsany minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable ottoman comprising a base; a vertically disposed guideplate extending transversely of the base intermediate the ends of thebase, and mounted on the base for vertical sliding movement; a seatportion carried by said plate to be shifted vertically of the basetherewith to selected elevations relative to the base, said seat portionbeing hinged intermediate its ends to the upper edge of the guide platefor swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the seatportion; and a pair of end support plates for the seat portionrespectively hinged to the ends of the base and engageable with the endsof the seat portion in selected positions to which the seat portion istilted about the axis of its hinged connection to the guide plate, ateach selected elevation of the seat portion.

2. An adjustable ottoman comprising a base; a vertically disposed guideplate extending transversely of the base intermediate the ends of thebase, and mounted on the base for vertical sliding movement; a seatportion carried by said plate to be shifted vertically of the basetherewith to selected elevations relative to the base, said seat portionbeing hinged intermediate its ends to the upper edge of the guide platefor swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the seatportion; and a pair of end support plates for the seat portionrespectively hinged to the ends of the base and engageable with the endsof the seat portion in selected positions to which the seat portion istilted about the axis of its hinged connection to the guide plate, ateach selected elevation of the seat portion, each of said end supportplates having spring means associated therewith normally tending to urgethe support plates to vertical positions, said end support plates beingswingable out of said vertical positions against the action of thespring means associated therewith, for supporting the respective ends ofthe seat portion at selected heights while exerting upward pressureagainst said ends tending to hold the seat portion in each of itspositions of tiltable adjustment.

3. An adjustable ottoman comprising a base; a vertically disposed guideplate extending transversely of the base intermediate the ends of the:Tbase, and mounted on the base for vertical sliding movement; a seatportion carried by said plate to be shifted vertically of the basetherewith to selected elevations relative to the base, said seat portionbeing hinged intermediate its ends to the upper edge of the guide platefor swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the seatportion; and a pair of end support plates "for the seat portionrespectively hinged to the ends of the base and engageable with the endsof the seat portion in selected positions to which the seat portion istilted about the axis of its hinged connection to the guide plate, ateach selected elevation of the seat portion, each of said end supportplates having spring means associated therewith normally tending to urgethe support plates to vertical positions, said end support plates beingswingable out of said vertical positions against the action of thespring means associated therewith, for supporting the respective ends ofthe seat portion at selected heights while exerting upward pressureagainst said ends tending to hold the seat portion in each of itspositions of tiltable adjustment, said end support plates being ofdifierent heights for supporting the seat portion in an inclinedposition in the vertical positions of the end support plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 530,469 Boyd Dec. 4, 1894 2,248,369 Ludersen July 8, 1941FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,902 Great Britain 1912 17,177Great Britain 1906 651,561 Germany May 6, 1936

